Audio: Tebow inexplicably “excited” to be joining loser franchise

posted at 7:00 pm on March 22, 2012 by Allahpundit

After yesterday’s Tebowpalooza on the site, we owe you reaction from the man himself. He’s saying all the right things here but, the Jets being the Jets, there’s got to be a jackhole somewhere in the system angling to make him feel unwelcome. (Antonio Cromartie dismissed Tebow publicly on Twitter a day before the deal was even made.) Or even outside the system: In fine franchise tradition, even the greatest Jet of all — who’s been retired for decades — couldn’t resist backbiting while the trade was pending.

“I do not agree with this situation,” Namath said. “I can’t agree with it. I just think it’s a publicity stunt. I really think it’s wrong. I can’t go for it.”…

“I don’t think they know what they’re doing over there right now,” Namath said. “They give Sanchez a new contract, they pat him on the back and then they bring in two more quarterbacks.”…

“I think Sanchez should be angry about what’s taken place,” Namath said.

It really is outrageous that Jets fans will have to watch Tebow run the wildcat on third and four instead of Sanchez underthrowing an open receiver. Click the image below to listen to TT’s interview, though, and you’ll find that Sanchez himself has been more gracious about the new arrangement than Namath. The lingering question: Why on earth did Tebow choose the Jets over the Jaguars? According to John Elway, he was given a choice; even the New York sports pages can’t understand why he’d exile himself to football Siberia. He could have gone home to play in the sun in front of adoring crowds and instead he’ll be the gimmick option on an unlikable team that’s an NFL afterthought even in its own city. The only theory I’ve heard that kinda sorta makes sense is that Tebow’s always valued his fame chiefly for the platform it provides for his faith. If your goal is to spread the good news, then logically you’d want access to the country’s biggest media megaphone.

Speaking of which, the other young, exciting, Christian star in town is psyched to learn that his buddy will be playing just across the river. Who could have guessed two months ago that America’s new capital of evangelical sports heroics would be New York?

Blowback

Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.

He didn’t choose Florida because it would have been like returning home after the team that took you dumped you for a better guy. “Back home in Florida” “returning to his home state” maybe felt like a kid who went to Hollywood looking for fame coming home to the local theater.

As for his inexplicable excitement, he’s making the best of it. The Broncos used him to revitalize things then dumped him for a guy who’s had four neck surgeries in recent years and was being urged to retire. Besides, one of his appeals is being a walking Norman Rockwell painting. You don’t throw a hissy fit.

“I don’t think they know what they’re doing over there right now,” Namath said.

They got a proven backup quarterback who’s also useful on gadget plays. In return, all they give up is a crummy 4th-round pick, and as a bonus they keep him out of the hands of an AFC team that would actually put him to good use–a team the Jets already know they’re going to play this year, incidentally. Where exactly is the downside?

It really is outrageous that Jets fans will have to watch Tebow run the wildcat on third and four instead of Sanchez underthrowing an open receiver.

AP is really on a roll with the “loser team” shtick. Granted, you’re right about Gang Green in that quote. And sure, I am really getting sick and tired of saying “wait ’til next year” over and over and over. And over and over….well, you get the point.

One thing is certain…God is not a Jets fan. Maybe a little Tebow action could sway our Creator to grant a few more wins. And guide Sanchez’s ball into a wide receiver’s gloved hand.

The lingering question: Why on earth did Tebow choose the Jets over the Jaguars?

I really think it’s because Tebow wants to be taken seriously, and not be seen as merely one who can sell tickets, which, in all reality, is about all Jax had in mind. In NY, TT will be seen as an asset to the game. His coaches will actually work with him as part of a starting offense (albeit a wildcat at first). I think TT believes that NY was the best option of a ball club that would push him to be a better QB, and I think he wants that opportunity, the opportunity to get better, far more than being in FL.

They’ve [the JETS] been through over-the-top predictions, endless soap operas, a foot fetish video, a collection of characters, DUIs, signing guys out of prison, more back page covers than they care to count and, worst of all, a fall to 8-8 last year, the only truly intolerable act. So, what, you thought they’d just smoothly land the biggest sensation in football?

There was a lot of buzz here in New England earlier this week that the Evil “Hoodie” (Patriots Coach Bill Belichick) was thinking of pulling the trigger on getting Tebow, as he’s always spoken very highly of him in the past. And Hoodie isn’t too shabby a judge of QB talent as we all know; he took a chance on a QB who ended up being the 7th QB picked in the draft (that would be Tom Brady).

Speaking of the evil Tom Brady, today he kindly restructured his contract to free up $7 million in cap money for the Pats to play with.

There you are! We’ve had at least “Tebow to the Jets” threads and you not so much uttered a howdy-do. Where ya been?

Weight of Glory on March 22, 2012 at 7:28 PM

heh, I’ve been around, just a little busier than normal these days. Yeah, I’m just going to take a “wait and see” attitude. Prognosticating the Jets is a fruitless endeavor anyway. The only “constant” is the broken heart every year.

Tebow should fit in with Ryan’s coaching style. And who knows…when Vinny Testaverde came aboard Gang Green, it was the first time the Jets won their division in a long time. Everyone was saying he’s too old. But the right coach…Bill Parcells…and the right players can get the job done.

There was a lot of buzz here in New England earlier this week that the Evil “Hoodie” (Patriots Coach Bill Belichick) was thinking of pulling the trigger on getting Tebow, as he’s always spoken very highly of him in the past. And Hoodie isn’t too shabby a judge of QB talent as we all know; he took a chance on a QB who ended up being the 7th QB picked in the draft (that would be Tom Brady).

Speaking of the evil Tom Brady, today he kindly restructured his contract to free up $7 million in cap money for the Pats to play with.

Del Dolemonte on March 22, 2012 at 7:40 PM

“Hoodie”…We have a different nickname for that Benedickt Arnold. Just sayin’ :)

Sanchez signed a three year contract, I really hope having Tebow in the house gets Sanchez to focus better than he’s been doing, or there’s a new starter QB right there on the sideline.

(Antonio Cromartie dismissed Tebow publicly on Twitter a day before the deal was even made.)

The man can’t even remember the names of all of his children, of which there are legion. His opinion of Tebow means less than squat.

I don’t think Tebow’s all that and then some. He’ll never be a successful starting QB in this league. Last year was a total flash-in-the-pan. But I admire the heck out of the guy. He’s gutsy, courageous, and a total team player. Going to the Jets is a loser proposition for him. He needed to go somewhere where the chemistry isn’t so caustic.

…he’s going to the Jets precisely because of their reputation. He’s a missionairy going where he thinks he’s needed the most.

aduneman on March 22, 2012 at 7:36 PM

I’m going to highly doubt that. He went with the best $$$ and position (present and possibly future) combo. This isn’t missionary work. I just hope the whole “Tebowing” fad has or is burnt out. We don’t go for that nonsense ’round here.

Sanchez signed a three year contract, I really hope having Tebow in the house gets Sanchez to focus better than he’s been doing, or there’s a new starter QB right there on the sideline.

JetBoy on March 22, 2012 at 7:47 PM

This.

AP, I also suffered through the 8-8 season last year. But you are too quick to discount the two appearances in the AFC championship game the two seasons before that. It had been a while before Sanchez that we came anywhere close to there.

This entire post is premised on the statement that John Elway told reporters that Tim had the choice. Tebow is too much of a gentleman to contradict him, but according to Adam Schechter of ESPN, who originally tweeted that Tebow would have a choice, he later tweeted a correction that the Broncos would send him whereever was best for the Broncos. So Tebow is making lemonade out of lemons, but I don’t for a minute believe Elway gave Tebow his choice.

I think it’s rather amusing that ESPN.com cannot produce a column about Tebow without using the word “polarizing”. I think the libtards running ESPN are afraid of someone who’s not afraid to be public with their religious beliefs.

You mean the answer from above was to pick NYC over Florida? Are you serious? I think the dark overlord ran a little interference this time around.

bayam on March 22, 2012 at 7:17 PM

God doesn’t always guide his people to where we’ll get the most money or comfort or fame.
If he did, there would be no armies of saints digging wells in Africa, feeding the poor in India, converting Muslims in Lebanon, or adopting orphans in the Philippines (as my wife & I will do when we move there next year).

I’m psyched as hell that Tebow’s going to the Jets, and I’m a Giants fan. Believe me, there is nothing like the tabloid wars and the manufactured sports drama that exists in NYC. Anything that keeps NY sports fans at each others throats 24/7/365 is a blessing. I re-upped my online subscriptions to the Daily News and the NY Post just so I can read about this every single day. Sanchez will have one lousy offensive possession, and the fans will start chanting for Tebow. This is so juicy delicious, I can’t wait for football season to start. This drama is almost as good as the Yankees in the late 70′s. Thank you, God. And Allah will thank you soon, too. That’s the beauty of this….

I don’t think Tebow’s all that and then some. He’ll never be a successful starting QB in this league. Last year was a total flash-in-the-pan.

Yep, it’s true. He has never had the toolset to be a successful quarterback. Not in high school, not in college, not in the NFL.

All

He

Does

Is

Win

And make folks predicting his certain failure look stupid. The Broncos were never going to have a winning record last season. The Broncos were never going to get to the playoffs last season. The Broncos were never going to win a playoff game last season. You can’t use a gimmick tailback to win NFL football games.

Tim Tebow can return to Florida, anytime he wants, and he will be treated as a living god. He doesn’t need to play football there to be The Man. There must be a thousand Floridian businessmen who would, in a heartbeat, take Tim Tebow on as a partner, simply to introduce him to prospective investors as “My partner, Tim Tebow… remember him playing for the Gators?”

Florida already loves Tebow, and always will. Now, if he can charm NYC…

This entire post is premised on the statement that John Elway told reporters that Tim had the choice. Tebow is too much of a gentleman to contradict him, but according to Adam Schechter of ESPN, who originally tweeted that Tebow would have a choice, he later tweeted a correction that the Broncos would send him whereever was best for the Broncos. So Tebow is making lemonade out of lemons, but I don’t for a minute believe Elway gave Tebow his choice.

You have to understand how it works in New York. When a team beats good teams on both coasts and Green Bay in the middle, we call them the NEW YORK Giants.When a team trips over a grasshopper in scrimmage we call them the NEW JERSEY Jets.

Cromartie is still sore after Tebow ran through him on the way to a TD in a UF/f$u game. I don’t believe a word coming out of Elway’s lying mouth. He never liked Tim even when he took the Broncs to the playoffs for the first time in years. Tim beat Couch’s and Grossman’s SEC passing records and Herschel Walker’s running TD record at Florida. The first thing Elway did after singing Manning was to go after some receivers who can catch.

Well, this is interesting. I don’t know if a headline addressed this and I missed it, but according to this Tebow is saying that he ultimately didn’t have a choice of picking the Jets, and is just demonstrating his usual good attitude.